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A month's rain in 24 hours

Wet weather and flood advice for the car and the home

6 July 2012

With forecasts today for a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours across many parts of the UK, the AA is reminding motorists to take extra care when driving in heavy rain and homeowners to take precautions against flooding, where possible.

In recent weeks, the AA has been called out to hundreds of motorists who have driven through or become stuck in flood water and has already deployed its water rescue Land Rovers, AA Special Operations Response Team today to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Worcestershire and Mid Wales. 23 jobs have already been received today for cars driven through water.

“With more torrential downpours expected across the UK today, localised or flash flooding could catch people out. Even if you know the local area well, lots of water on the roads can change their appearance and mask hidden hazards,“ explains Darron Burness, the AA’s Head of Special Operations.

“It’s often impossible to gauge the depth of flood water, so don’t even chance it. Not only do you risk wrecking your engine but there may be dislodged manhole covers and other debris.

“It only takes six inches of fast flowing water to knock you off your feet and one foot of water to float a car.

Driving in heavy rain

Keep speed down, be watchful for standing water and not risk driving through flood water

Don’t try driving through fast-moving water – you could easily get swept away

Driving fast through standing water is dangerous; tyres lose contact with the road and you lose steering control – known as “aquaplaning”

If this happens, hold the steering wheel lightly and lift off the throttle until the tyres regain grip

If you break down in heavy rain, don’t prop the bonnet open while you wait for help to arrive. The engine will be more difficult to start again if the electrics are rain-soaked.